Dr M says religious extremism due to weak government
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
Demands by religious extremists are on the rise due to the existence of a weak federal government, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed said today as Muslim groups claim Christians are plotting to control Malaysia.
“In my time, none of this (happened), I got support from all Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, no demands,” said the former prime minister who brooked no dissent during his 22-year rule.
He was commenting on a recent Utusan Malaysia article claiming that the DAP was conspiring with Christian leaders to take over Putrajaya and abolish Islam as the country’s official religion.
“These are extremist fringes because they see (the) government as weak, that’s why there’s all these problems.
“The government is weak because last time I got two-thirds majority, now there is no two-thirds majority, weak,” said the longest-serving prime minister in the country.
But the veteran politician did not specify whether that meant he agreed with the Utusan report.
Dr Mahathir said he did not want to comment further on the matter unless there was clear proof.
“I’m not that interested in bringing up issues concerning religion unless there’s clear proof. If we give responses just like that, it will only end in argument.
“I haven’t studied it completely, so I don’t want to make statements. I do not want to harm the country with unsubstantiated opinions,” he said.
